We’re going to get an actual NBA competition starting on Sunday, and although it’s not the games we’re hoping to see during this time of isolation and social distancing, it’s … something!
The NBA and ESPN announced on Thursday that the NBA HORSE Challenge is on, with current and former NBA and WNBA stars taking on each other from their very own home courts (that’s how we do social distancing!).
Event sponsor State Farm will donate over $200,000 to, per ESPN, “charities focused on coronavirus response efforts.”
Here are the details, players involved and schedule for the challenge that kicks off later this week:
When is this all taking place?
Sunday, April 12, 7-9 p.m. (ET): The four “quarterfinal groups” go head to head against each other, with a replay of their performances from 9-11 p.m.
Thursday April 16, 9-11 p.m. (ET): The semifinals will be held, starring the winners of each group quarterfinal, with a championship after that.
Who is playing?
Group 1, first pairing: Trae Young will face off against ex-NBA star and ESPN analyst Chauncey Billups.
Group 1, second pairing: Tamika Catchings — the women’s hoops legend who will be inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame this year — takes on Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr.
Group 2, first pairing: Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine will look to beat future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce.
Group 2, second pairing: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul will take on Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky.
Any rules to note?
From the release:
A coin toss at the start of each game will determine who shoots first, with the more senior player calling heads or tails. Players must describe each shot attempt, specifying the type of score they intend to make before taking a shot, such as a bank shot or swish. Dunking is prohibited. The first player in each game to accumulate the letters “H-O-R-S-E” after failing to match five shots is eliminated.
Where will it air?
On ESPN and the ESPN App.
